After a successful minimester of three weeks, the stage was set to begin the 2024/25 session second semester for residential students of NBTS. God is the beginning, center and end of all things and as such, the second semester began on the note of retreats for all staff as we met with God and with one another in preparation for the task ahead. There were a Faculty and Senior staff retreat and retreats for all levels of NBTS workers from Monday, 27th January to Wednesday, 29th January, 2025. As has been the practice for two sessions now, the Faculty and Management Retreat is held outside the Seminary campus, while the retreats for intermediate and junior staff are held inside NBTS.
Saja Baptist Church, under the leadership of Rev. Dr Bisi Ajasa, hosted the Management retreat on Monday, January 27, 2025. In addition to providing a welcoming, hospitable atmosphere, needed resources and nutritious meals, Dr Ajasa was present in person to welcome the Faculty and Staff of NBTS. He reminded us that there are many nights ahead of us – the nights of age, retirement and others; but God is there to see us through and make us victorious. Many members of Saja Baptist Church were also available to make us feel at home.
The Retreat consisted of three sessions moderated by each of the Deputy Presidents – Professor Olusayo Oladejo, Ass. Prof. Gabriel Oyeniyi and Prof. Olusola Ayo-Obiremi. The programme featured an articulation of the theme (Divine Expectations – Isaiah 5: 1 – 7), purpose and objectives by the President, Prof. S. Ola Ayankeye. He stated that the retreat was for sharpening, reuniting and retooling faculty and staff as joint managers and stakeholders in NBTS. Taking his text from Galatians 5: 22 – 26, Rev. Prof. S. Ola Ayankeye also led in a devotion.
As expected, the retreat included prayers, a message and discussions in preparation for the new semester. There was also a symposium on God’s Expectation for Financial Integrity with Dcn Ope Fasipe, Mr Nathaniel Ayantoye, and Prof Sayo Oladejo as discussants and Dr Toye Odeleye as Moderator. The prayer sessions were for families, NBTS, the Nigerian Baptist Convention and Nigeria led by Rev. Dr Addison Talla, Rev. Precious Oyebanji and Rev Dr Esther Odunlami respectively.
The message for the faculty and staff were led by Rev. Bayo Opajobi and Rev. Dr Niyi-Ojo titled ‘Divine Expectation from Every Theological Educator’ and ‘Divine Expectation from A Christian Administrator’ respectively. Exposing the expectations of God concerning Individual lives (vines); Rev. Opajobi emphasized to theological educators that each one has a personal race set before them (1 Cor. 9:24 – 27; Heb. 12: 1- 2; 2 Tim 2:5) which begins the day they accept Christ and continues into eternity. He challenged all, ‘DON’T STOP RUNNING IN THE RACE TO ETERNITY!’ He further charged theological educators to discipline themselves, and lay aside everything that can hinder them from running the race ‘Don’t just look at your beauty in the mirror. Look at your standing with God’, he said. Rev. Opajobi challenged all to run according to rules for running; to run in order to win; to be focused and to keep the faith for the next generation. He concluded with the warning that none should think they are indispensable (Luke 13: 6 – 9).
While faculty members held a seminar on research grant opportunities and modalities (led by Prof. Olusola Ayo-Obiremi); the administrative staff seminar was on preparing for global impact/having a global mindset as led by Rev Bayo Taiwo Opajobi. A key point was the need for staff to be on the cutting edge and be computer literate in software packages relating to their area of responsibility. The ball was set rolling for the second semester 2024/2025 academic session as the President, Deputy Presidents, Registrar, Librarian, Bursar, Chaplain, DLC/Online Coordinator, Web Officer and other unit heads addressed the faculty and staff on pertinent matters. In all, it was a worthwhile takeoff with God, the Owner of the Vineyard, at the centre of the takeoff for the semester.
Olusola Ayo-Obiremi
For Advancement Centre.
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